WINNING OVER WORRY
(The Causes and Cures of Elijah’s Depression)
I Kings 19:1-10
INTRODUCTION
An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association once suggested that more human suffering has resulted from depression than from any other single disease affecting mankind.” (Collins)
“Depression is a devastating illness that affects the total being-physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The emotional pain of depression is more severe than the physical pain of a broken leg. Unlike a broken leg, however, the pains of depression come on much more gradually. Many men and women are currently suffering from numerous symptoms of depression without even realizing that they suffer from depression rather than from some purely physical illness.” (Minreth & Meier, Happiness is a Choice)
Today, a “majority of Americans suffer from a serious, clinical depression sometime during their lives. At the present time, one American in twenty is medically diagnosed as suffering from depression. Of course, many, many more are depressed but never receive help. According to one estimate about twenty million persons in America between the ages of eighteen and seventy-four are currently depressed. Depression is the leading cause of suicide; in fact about 15 % of those people who are significantly depressed will eventually commit suicide. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America today, and it is the second leading cause of death among college students. Depression occurs two times more often in females than males, and it occurs three times more often in higher socio-economic groups. Money definitely does not but happiness! Depression occurs most often in the fourth and fifth decades of life, but may occur during any stressful period from infancy to old age.” (Collins)
The Bible records the symptoms of such men as Job, Moses, Elijah, David, and Jeremiah. Depression has been discussed since the time of Job to the present. It is a common temptation to man. “But God will not suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape that we will be able to bear it.
In our text, we have an example of the symptoms of Elijah’s depression and the way God dealt with it. Remember that Elijah was a man of God. “The hand of the Lord was on Elijah” (18:46) He had been greatly used of God. But he was not above depression.
This should be instructive to those who may be suffering from depression now, or those of us who will come under an attack latter on. And we are so blessed to have so many godly, Christian counselors around this country.
THEME: WHAT CAN WE DO TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION?
I. TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE SYMPTOMS
A. Withdrawal 19:3b, 4a
B. Weariness
C. Feelings Of Worthlessness 19:10
D. Sleepiness
E. Loss Of Appetite
T.S. WHAT CAN WE DO TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION?
I. TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE SYMPTOM
II. TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES
A. Physical – Genetic Causes
1. Lack of sleep
2. Improper diet
3. Low blood sugar
4. Chemical malfunctioning
B. Background Causes
1. Lack of child contact with parents
2. Rejection
C. Learned Helplessness
1. Feelings of helplessness
2. Lack of control
D. Negative Thinking
1. Life is viewed negatively: burdens, obstacles, defeats
2. Feel deficient, inadequate, unworthy, incapable
3. View the future negatively. See continuing hardship
E. Life Stress
1. Loss of job
2. Loss of health
3. Loss of freedom
4. Loss of a contest
5. Loss of possessions
F. Anger
NOTE: What happens when one is frustrated, resentful and angry? If the anger is denied or pushed out of our minds, it festers “under cover” and eventually “gets us down.”
G. Guilt
1. Self-condemnation
2. Frustration
3. Hopelessness
T.S. WHAT CAN WE DO TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION?
I. TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE SYMPTOMS
II. TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES
III. TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION WE MUST APPLY GOD’S THERAPY
A. Look And Listen To God’s Messenger Of Comfort
NOTE: “…an angel touched him” 19:5
1. Heaven’s help is on the way Look up!
2. God’s messenger gives more hope than Jezebel’s messenger
3. “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation … II Corinthians 1:4
B. Strengthen Our Self Physically
NOTE: “arise and eat” 19:5, 6
1. Get up and get going
2. Makes us feel like eating
3. Sometimes physical exercise is needed
C. Accept The Present Distress As A Challenge
NOTE: “the journey is too great for thee.” 19:7
D. Internalize The Word Of God
NOTE: “behold the word of the Lord came to him” 19:9
E. Get In God’s Presence
NOTE: “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord” 19:11
F. Go To Work 19:15-17
G. Bask In The Assurance Of God’s Blessings 19:18
CONCLUSION
WHAT CAN WE DO TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION?
I. TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE SYMPTOMS
II. TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION WE MUST UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES
III. TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION WE MUST APPLY GOD’S THERAPY
Sermons And Lessons From The Old Testament 